1911 +P Ejection Problem

Bob C · July 1, 2001, 07:25 AM

My Springfield Armory 1911 was choking today on +P reloads, which in times past were OK in it. There were several failures to eject, all on the last round of the magazine, and with different magazines. With the same bullet at a "standard" velocity, and with PMC factory FMJ's, function was 100%.
Any ideas? TIA.

Doug 29 · July 1, 2001, 09:16 AM

Maybe the loads are too hot?? Are they sticking in the chamber? Your extractor could need a little tweaking (Needs to grip the case a little tighter?).

**4V50 Gary** · July 1, 2001, 10:05 AM

Please give further details...

Is the case still stuck in the chamber or is it partially out?

(Moving to Smithy)

Bob C · July 1, 2001, 10:48 AM

To give a few more details, the cases were all out of the chamber, and were in a modified stovepipe with the case mouth wedged against the edge of the slide. The case rim was partially back under the magazine lips about half the time. The mags were my "practice" mags, but included Shooting Star with Wolff springs, which are usually OK. With the load reduced 10% (resulting in 800 or so FPS with a 230 grain bullet) function was fine. The bullet was a 230 Flat Point by NBC.

Also, the problem has now occurred twice, and after the first time I replaced the recoil spring with an 18.5 pound spring, and cleaned the extractor channel.

JMBrowning · July 1, 2001, 02:57 PM

Toughie without looking at your gun.Take a close look at the spot on the slide stop that engages the tang on the mag follower for holding the slide open on last shot.Examine ejector.Doubt if its the extractor or mags.

(Stupid question)-you keepin the thing clean?

Let us know what you find...

George Stringer · July 2, 2001, 07:15 AM

Bob, it's very common for us to relax our grip on the last shot. We usually know when the last shot is coming. You may be doing that and may have been doing it all along but with the +P ammo the effect is magnified. Before doing anything mechanical to the pistol try shooting and concentrating on keeping your wrist locked for that last shot. This might cause your problem to disappear. George

Doug 29 · July 3, 2001, 11:16 PM

Are you using shok-buff's? Try sticking with the 16 lb. standard recoil spring. I'm wondering if the slide is able to retract fully with normal velocity and force.

teufelmann55 · July 4, 2001, 06:10 PM

Do you have an extended ejector or a standard one?

July 1, 2001, 07:25 AM	#1
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	1911 +P Ejection Problem My Springfield Armory 1911 was choking today on +P reloads, which in times past were OK in it. There were several failures to eject, all on the last round of the magazine, and with different magazines. With the same bullet at a "standard" velocity, and with PMC factory FMJ's, function was 100%. Any ideas? TIA.

July 1, 2001, 10:05 AM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,841	Please give further details... Is the case still stuck in the chamber or is it partially out? (Moving to Smithy) __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

July 1, 2001, 09:16 AM	#2
Doug 29 Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 217	Maybe the loads are too hot?? Are they sticking in the chamber? Your extractor could need a little tweaking (Needs to grip the case a little tighter?).

July 1, 2001, 10:48 AM	#4
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 1999 Location: St. Louis, MO suburbs Posts: 386	To give a few more details, the cases were all out of the chamber, and were in a modified stovepipe with the case mouth wedged against the edge of the slide. The case rim was partially back under the magazine lips about half the time. The mags were my "practice" mags, but included Shooting Star with Wolff springs, which are usually OK. With the load reduced 10% (resulting in 800 or so FPS with a 230 grain bullet) function was fine. The bullet was a 230 Flat Point by NBC. Also, the problem has now occurred twice, and after the first time I replaced the recoil spring with an 18.5 pound spring, and cleaned the extractor channel.

July 1, 2001, 02:57 PM	#5
JMBrowning Junior member Join Date: November 3, 2000 Location: Jonesboro,GA Posts: 92	Toughie without looking at your gun.Take a close look at the spot on the slide stop that engages the tang on the mag follower for holding the slide open on last shot.Examine ejector.Doubt if its the extractor or mags. (Stupid question)-you keepin the thing clean? Let us know what you find...

July 2, 2001, 07:15 AM	#6
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	Bob, it's very common for us to relax our grip on the last shot. We usually know when the last shot is coming. You may be doing that and may have been doing it all along but with the +P ammo the effect is magnified. Before doing anything mechanical to the pistol try shooting and concentrating on keeping your wrist locked for that last shot. This might cause your problem to disappear. George

July 3, 2001, 11:16 PM	#7
Doug 29 Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2000 Posts: 217	Are you using shok-buff's? Try sticking with the 16 lb. standard recoil spring. I'm wondering if the slide is able to retract fully with normal velocity and force.

July 4, 2001, 06:10 PM	#8
teufelmann55 Member Join Date: May 12, 2001 Posts: 92	Do you have an extended ejector or a standard one?